The glass doors opened for me and the cool draft swept across my face. I could smell freshly roasted coffee and heaven, yes the fragrance of new clothes and sparkling stilettos. Let me take you to a day at the mall with me. I was walking by a store where something struck my eye, it was love at first sight. I ran inside the store to try them out. I was ready to shell out half my pocket on this, oh god, a brilliant pair finally. I slid it out carefully from the glass case and put it on. However, the pair of glasses I fell in love with… isn't the right fit?! What is this sorcery?
It just did not look anything like I imagined. It felt as if it was wearing me and not the other way around. *Heartbreak*
Have you ever felt heartbreak like I did? So how do you and I pick the right pair of sunnies? Certainly not from the Zara catalog blindly. We need to figure out what works for us.
Here a GUIDE on how to find the PERFECT PAIR:
Sunglasses primarily protect the eyes from the sun and other particles but they can also transform your look and can be a great fashion statement on a sunny day.
Choosing stylish eyewear may look effortless but it’s not a child's play. It can quickly turn into a disaster, with the wrong shape, color, or design and you’ll end up with a pair that doesn't perfectly complement your features and outfit.
Before investing your money in a good pair of sunglasses, it’s imperative to know our face shape, analyze our skin color, hair color. Also the shape, size, and color of the sunglasses.
Here are some points for you to keep in mind before investing in a pair of eyewear:
DETERMINE YOUR FACE SHAPE
The first and most important step is to know your face shape.
How?
Every face shape is different and unique. That's why a stencil can’t tell you or put you in a specific category of face shape. Most of us have a combination face shape with unique features that define us. Here is how you can do a self-analysis:
Step 1: Find a perfectly clean mirror
Step 2: Make sure light falls on your face and it's not too harsh
Step 3: Keep your hair away from your face and tie it in a bun
Step 4: Sketch out an outline of your face on the mirror using a whiteboard marker and use the chart below to guide you.
Oval Face Shape
The length of the face shape is longer than the width of the cheekbones. Also, the forehead is wider than the jawline, which is slightly rounded. If you have an oval face, you’re in luck. This is probably the most versatile of all face shapes, making it suitable for all sunglasses styles.
Square Face Shape
Square faces have strong and boxy jawlines and cheekbones. Unlike round faces, square faces have almost too much definition and need to be toned down more. Sunglasses with round rims go best with this face shape. Stick to small and medium-sized sunglasses that are not too overwhelming on the face.
Rectangle Face Shape
Rectangle face shapes are very similar to square faces in that they both have strong boxy jawlines and cheekbones. The only noticeable difference is that the length of the face is longer. While choosing sunglasses, you want to create balance and soften sharp lines. Don’t extend beyond the widest part of your face and avoid sunglasses with sharp lines.
Round Face Shape
The angle of the jaw is not as defined in a round face shape. They usually have larger cheekbones and wider face widths. In addition, they also have a smaller forehead and jawline, which are nearly symmetrical. If you have a round face shape, you should seek ways to add more definition to your face. Sunglasses that best accentuate are those that are angular and slightly larger than the face. Square styles are great options. You definitely want to avoid wearing round frames but if you are intent on rocking a pair, then go for a d-frame style.
Diamond Face Shape
With the diamond face shape, the size of features will funnel down. The face length is longest and then in descending order: cheekbones, forehead, and jawline. The chin is pointed, creating that “diamond” appearance. D-frames and cat eye glasses suit the best. Make sure to keep the lenses on the smaller side, as the top of the face is the widest and does not need more attention.
Heart Face Shape
Heart face shapes will find that their chin is pointier than any other dimensions on their face and their forehead is wider than cheekbones. Heart face shapes go best with small and medium-sized sunglasses that create a balance between the smaller jaw and larger forehead. D-frame and aviator styles suit this face shape extremely well because they add length to the face. Try to avoid round styles because they will add too much emphasis to the forehead.
Triangle Face Shape
Triangular face shape has large jawlines, small cheekbones, and an even smaller forehead. Since triangle face shapes have more definition at the bottom of the face, it’s best to go for larger sunglasses that will balance the top of the face. Avoid small frames that will put too much attention to the bottom. Besides scale, this face shape tends to give you free rein on what style of frame you can wear.
DETERMINE YOUR SKIN TONE
Your skin tone works similar to your hair color. Contrast is the name of the game when it comes to finding the best shades of sunglasses for yourself.
How can you find out?
In natural light, check the appearance of your veins beneath your skin.
Here is a picture for you where you can see and determine your skin tone.
DETERMINE THE RIGHT FRAME COLOR FOR YOUR HAIR
Your hair color can make or break the overall aesthetic of your sunglasses. Depending on your sense of style, you can go for an understated, elegant look or make a striking statement using bold and contrasting colors.
Tone and hues also play a huge part in hair color; it differentiates into a warm category or cool category.
1. Half print sunglasses, DOLCE & GABBANA
2. Gros grain sunglasses, DOLCE & GABBANA
3. Dg monogram sunglasses, DOLCE & GABBANA
4. Cat-eye Half print sunglasses, DOLCE & GABBANA
5. Cut-Out Tinted Sunglasses, CHARLES & KEITH
6. Squared medusa medallion sunglasses,VERSACE
7. Half Frame Cat-Eye Sunglasses, CHARLES & KEITH
LENSES MATERIAL
Tempered glass
Quality glass lenses offer the best viewing quality and the most scratch-resistant. Two of the most prestigious and famous sunglasses brands make glass lenses their distinctive trait: Ray-Ban and Persol. However, glass lenses will be heavier, cost more money, and are more prone to shatter when hit, so could not be the right choice for every situation.
Plastic, Organic plastic, CR-39
CR-39 or organic plastic (and similar compounds) is thinner and weighs half as much as glass, and it is the widest used material for general purposes sunglasses today. It exceeds the FDA requirements for impact-resistance, but it is not shatter-proof, so it is not recommended for active sports.
Polycarbonate Plastic
A remarkably strong plastic, it weighs the least and is the most impact-resistant (it can resist the impact of a steel ball traveling at 160km/hr!) making it a perfect choice for rugged sunglasses. They also offer built-in ultraviolet filtering. These are a good choice for kids' sunglasses, sports and outdoor activities, and safety glasses.
Nylon
Nylon, or polyamide, is a newer top-notch performance material, it combines the advantages of polycarbonate and CR-39 lenses. Nylon lenses have an outstanding shock resistance while being extremely lightweight, and do not crack when drilled (making them perfect for some frame shapes). Increasingly used in general purposes eyewear, and for active sports.
MATCH YOUR SUNGLASSES WITH YOUR OUTFIT
This is an important part, accessorizing your look with a pair of trendy sunglasses is like taking your style game to a different level.
Here we have made sure to cover the top eyewear trends in 2021 for you
The 2020 winter sunglasses are more classic and practical than the ones in summers. There were still some eyewear options, as you will soon see.
1. Protective Shields
Shield sunglasses continue trending upwards. This is one of those 2020-2021 sunglasses trends that are a little on the sportier side.
2. Fancy Cat-Eyes or Slim Glasses With Decorated Top Rim
Cat-eye sunglasses are a bit of retro vibe with flirty and flattering. They’re best for slimming your face and will make you look more glamorous.
3. Oversized Glam With Colored Lenses
Our sunglasses’ lenses cast a shadow over the world that alters our perception. With yellow and amber lenses, the world will look a little warmer, which can be a welcome sight in winter.
The fall 2020 eyewear trends didn’t feature excessive decoration, for the most part, but one exception was a proclivity to decorating the top rims of sunglasses with a bit of metal.
4. Matching Lenses and Plastic Frames
Plastic frames come in a huge range of colors. A few designers loved the idea of doing this, making one of the fall/ winter 2020-2021 sunglasses trends monochromatic.
5. Rimless Shields
Most shield sunglasses look very sporty, there is something about rimless shield sunglasses that looks more futuristic and conceptual, without the same sporty feel.
Now you can rock your style by completing it with a pair of sunglasses.
Whether it’s a bold and trendy pair of sunglasses to elevate a basic outfit or a pair of casual wooden sunglasses that will blend perfectly with your laid-back weekend look!
There are many different ways to match your sunglasses with your outfit.
Tell us in the comment session below which one you'll try next.